Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 17, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at City Hall in Council Chambers at 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Commissioners attending in person: Perry Bedford Haris Qureshi Rick Brimer Kevin Ramberg Linda Guerrero Jennifer Bristol Commissioner attending remotely: Audrey Barrett Bixler Pam Thompson Commissioners absent: Rachel Scott Staff in Attendance: Mel Fuechec Kaela Champlin Liz Johnston Mike McDougal Sara Hartley CALL TO ORDER Chair Guerrero called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers should sign up to speak prior to the meeting being called to order; you will receive a three-minute allotment to discuss topics not posted on the agenda. None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the November 3, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) A motion to approve the November 3, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Scott was absent. 1  2. 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Approve the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Schedule for 2022 A motion to approve the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Schedule for 2022 was approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Scott was absent. b. Hold an emergency election for vacant Environmental Commission officer positions for the May 2021 through April 2022 (10 minutes) Commissioner Bedford nominated Commissioner Ramberg for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Bristol nominated herself for Vice-Chair. Those voting for Commissioner Ramberg were: Commissioners Brimer, Ramberg, Guerrero, Qureshi, Bedford, Bixler, and Thompson. Commissioner Bristol voted for herself (7-1). Commissioner Ramberg nominated Commissioner Bristol for secretary. Those voting for Commissioner Bristol for secretary were Commissioners Bristol, Brimer, Ramberg, Guerrero, Qureshi, Bedford, Bixler, and Thompson (8-0). PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Name: Stillwater - Double Creek Phase 2, SP-2021-0178C Applicant: Lance Rosenfield, Malone Wheeler Inc Location: 10801 Brezza Lane, Austin, Texas, 78748 Council District: District 5 Watershed: Onion Creek, Suburban Watershed, Desired Development Zone Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 to allow development in the critical water Staff: Mel Fuechec, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, DSD quality zone. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance with conditions. (30 minutes) Speakers Michael Whellan Lance Rosenfield A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. A motion to recommend approval of the variance with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Scott was absent. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson, Richard Brimer, and Linda Guerrero Commissioner Brimer gave an update on the Urban Forestry Committee. b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Audrey Barrett Bixler c. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Kevin Ramberg 2  d. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board –Linda Guerrero and Pam Thompson Chair Guerrero gave an update on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board. e. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Chair Guerrero adjourned the meeting at 6:34 P.M. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please call Kaela Champlin at Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Environmental Commission, please contact Kaela Champlin, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443. * A member of the public may not address a board or commission at a meeting on an item posted as a briefing, per City Code Section 2-1-144(E). 3